What does "attempt" mean?

1. (to try) to try to do something, especially when it is difficult or you are not sure you will succeed. 2. (an effort) an act of trying to do something. 3. (an attack) an act of trying to kill someone or hurt them.

How do you use "attempt"?

Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive: 'attempt to do something'. Often used with the preposition 'at' or followed by a 'to' infinitive.

attempt

v. · n.

US //əˈtɛmpt// UK //ɐtˈɛmpt// at·tempt

1 to try (v.)
B1 Intermediate

to try to do something, especially when it is difficult or you are not sure you will succeed.

to make an effort to achieve or complete a task, typically one that is challenging. Transitive — usually followed by a to-infinitive or a direct object.

Example

He will attempt to break the world record during the race tomorrow.

Example

The rescue team will attempt to reach the stranded climbers once the blizzard subsides and visibility improves.

Usage

Commonly followed by a 'to' infinitive: 'attempt to do something'.
- quit
- abandon
2 an effort (n.)
B1 Intermediate

an act of trying to do something.

the act of trying to perform a task or achieve a goal.

Example

This was her second attempt at passing the driving test.

Example

Despite a valiant attempt to secure the funding, the start-up was forced to downsize its operations.

Usage

Often used with the preposition 'at' or followed by a 'to' infinitive.
- failure
- omission

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3 an attack (n.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

an act of trying to kill someone or hurt them.

an unsuccessful effort to commit a violent act, particularly an assassination or a physical assault.

Example

The president survived an assassination attempt early this morning.

Example

Security forces were praised for thwarting an attempt on the prime minister's life during the public parade.
- assault
- attack

Origin

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₂éd Proto-Italic *ad Proto-Italic *ad- Latin ad- Latin temptō Latin attemptōder. Old French atempterbor. Middle English attempten English attempt Late 14th century, as Middle English attempten, from Old French atempter, from Latin attemptō (“to try, solicit”), from ad- (“to”) + temptō; see tempt. The noun is from the 1530s, the sense "an assault on somebody's life, assassination attempt" (French attentat) is from 1580.